Carinthian Lakes

The Austrian Riviera.

The “Austrian Riviera”, as the Carinthian lake region is called by the locals, tempts you here to the southernmost and at the same time Austria's sunniest land for a picture book bike tour. Many lakes magically embedded in a unique background of staggered mountain ranges; cultural treats such as the castle Hochosterwitz or Maria Saal; cultured cities such as Villach and Klagenfurt; splendid places to swim and a lot of untainted nature spoil you on this bike tour par excellence. And not to forget: the most beautiful weather in the Carinthian lakes land!

Itinerary

We leave the town and bike along the mountain range Karawanken eastwards to the first lake on our tour, the turquoise Lake Faaker See. After a lunch break you cycle back to Villach along the Drau cycle path.

The first destination is the castle ruin Landskron. Along the Lake Ossiacher See to Ossiach (Benedictine convent and the collegiate church ‘Assumption’). Via Steindorf – a charming lakeside town – you continue to Bodensdorf and back to Villach.

You cycle a few kilometres on Drau bike path towards East. Your next aim is Velden – pulsating village on Lake Wörthersee. Through slightly hilly landscape you continue into the valley of Keutschach. You can take a bath in Lake Hafnersee, Lake Keutschacher See, Lake Baßgeigensee and Lake Rauschelsee which are located around the bathing resort of Keutschach. Along Lend Canal you reach the capital of Carinthia – Klagenfurt. Alternative (approx. 40 km) you can also cycle along the northern banks of Lake Wörthersee via Velden, Pörtschach and Krumpendorf to Klagenfurt.

After strolling through Klagenfurt you cycle to the castles Ebenthal and Grafenstein (an arcade courtyard worth seeing) and to the Völkermarkter Stausee (reservoir) on to the warmest lake in Carinthia, the Lake Klopeiner See.

Today you cross the last time river Drau. You cycle in a slightly undulating territory in direction Maria Saal. Today you also pass the duke chair and castle Hochosterwitz (excursion about 15 km extra) on your way to St. Veit.

St. Veit was the capital city for centuries and domicile of the Carinthian bishop. Even today this time is evident through the city wall, the medieval square, the gorgeous houses, the castle of the duke and lots of monuments. Along the river Glan you cycle to Glanegg (castle ruin) and Feldkirchen, surrounded by romantic castles, ruins and hills. On Glan bicycle path back to Villach.

Tour character

The alternation between the individual river valleys and Lakes – as well as avoiding roads with heavy traffic – brings about a slightly hilly tour course. This journey can be easily overcome with a “normal” biker's constitution. Mostly you cycle along asphaltic bike paths and side roads with less of traffic.